Bottle-filling machine.



Ho. 697,22I. PatentedApr. 8, |902. L. STBEBEL L c. w. WILLIAMS.

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE.

(Application filed Apr. 27, 1901.)

2 Sheets-Sheet I.

(No Model.)

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No. 697,22. Patented Apr. 8, I9II2.

L. STREBEL & C. W. WILLIAMS.

BOTTLE FILLING MACHINE.

(Application led Apr. 27, 1901'1) (no Model.) 2 shuts-sheet 2.

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Tm: "cams Petras co. worauwmwn NITED STATES LOUIS STREBEL AND CHARLES IV'.

PATENT O EEIcE.

WILLIAMS, or NEW YORK, N. Y.,

ASSIGNORS TO THE CENTURY STOPPER COMPANY, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEI/V JERSEY.

BOTTLE-FILLING MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 697,221, dated April 8, 1902.

Application iiled April 27,1901.

To @ZZ Iii/"wm, t may concern.-

Be it known that we, LOUIS STREBEL and CHARLES WV. WILLIAMS, residing in the borough of Manhattan, New York, in the State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Bottle-Filling Machines, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of bottle-iilling machines in which the neck portion of the bottle to be filled is received or inserted in a suitable housing or casing which hermetically closes the upper portion of the bottle while the filling operation is taking place. The objects of the present invention are to provide a bottle-filling machine by which bottles provided with swing-bail stoppers may be quickly filled without necessitating the unseating of the stopper from the neck of the bottle by hand and to provide a machine by which the stopper may be unseated and moved to one side out of the way entirely of the stream of liquid which is shot directly into the bottle.

Further objects are to provide a machine of the described class which will be durable and simple and economical in operation and in which there is practically no Waste of liquid.

Our invention consists of a bottle-filling machine which comprises a stock suitably supported, a cup-shaped housing or casing guided on the stock, means for supplying liquid to the bottle while inclosed by the housing, and means for removing the stopper from the bottle.

Our invention further consists of a gripper for engaging the stopper of a bottle to be illed in combination with means for exerting apull on the gripper, and cam devices coperating therewith during the pulling movement and adapted to automatically move the stopper lifted by the gripper to one side.

The invention also consists of a relief device or sniff, whereby the air displaced from the bottle may pass off, in combination with a hand-lever for operating the valve'of the sni and which is mounted on the hand-lever for operating the gripper, whereby the two Serial No. 57,790. (No model.)

hand-levers are adapted to be operated independently or simultaneously.

The invention also consists of certain other details of construction and combinations of parts to be hereinafter described and then claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure l is a perspective view 0f a bottle-filling machine embodying our invention. Fig. 2 is an eularged longitudinal sectional View showingthe guide-stock and the housing or casing mounted thereon, the upper part of the bottle being hermet-ieally inclosed and the gripper being in engagement with the stopper of a bottle inserted into the housing ready to unseat the stopper from the mouth of the bottle. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the same parts and in which the gripper has been raised and moved to one side, so as to elevate and shift the stopper. Fig. et is a detail longitudinal section on the line I 4, Fig. 3, showing the relief device or sniff: and the parts adjacent thereto. Fig. 5 is an enlarged cross-section on the line 5 5, Fig. 2. Fig. 6 is a cross-section on the line 6 6, Fig. 2; and Fig. 7 is a broken detail view of the lower end of the stock, the same View showing also the gripper.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

Referring to the drawings, A indicates the base portion or table of the machine, which is provided at the top with a suitable seat, such as a, for the base of the bottle which is to be iilled. A pair of pedestals or pillars B B extend from the top of the table or base portion A, said pedestals or pillars supportwhich standards are connected by means of a cross-piece C2. The cross-piece C2 carries at about its mid-length a stock or post D, the lower end of which is arranged at a suitable distance above the top of the table A. Said stock is supported from the cross-piece by means of a neck portion D, which is passed through a suitable opening cl in the crosspiece C2 and is provided at one end with a shoulder d and at the other with a screwthread d2, adapted to receive a binding-nut d3, which is screwed home against the cross- 85 ing a pair of uprights or standards C C',

piece C2. The shouldered portion d' of the neck (l is provided with an inner cylindrical hole or socket d4, which is screw-threaded, so as to receive the screw-threaded upper end of the stock D. On the projecting end ofthe stock D a suitable cup-shaped housing E is guided, said housing comprising a head e and a shell e', which head is provided with a central opening e2, corresponding in size with and receiving the stock D, the joint between the said parts being rendered air and gas tight by means of a packing-ring e3 and a gland-nut,

c", which may be tightened up as the packing wears, so as to render it impossible for any gas from the liquid being bottled to leak out of the housing E at this point. The lower end or rim of the shell e of the housing is provided with a rabbet-groove c5, in which is seated a suitable packing-ring or elastic gasket e6, such gasket serving to fit snugly or tightly into the neck or tapering portion of the bottle which is to be filled, and thereby preventing any gas from escaping from the housing or casing at this point. The housing E is carried by a cross-head F, of which the housing-head e forms a part and which is connected at both ends with reciprocatory rods F', which are guided in suitable holes in the pedestals B alongside of the standards C C' and are connected at their lower ends by means of a cross-head F2, which is connected by means of a link F3 (shown inv dotted lines in Fig. l) with the treadle-lever F4, which is suitably pivoted Within the hollow base or table A at j', said lever projecting through a slot f in the hollow base, so as to be conveniently actuated bythe foot of the attendant at thek machine. A springr fz'is suitably hung at its upper end within the hollow base or table A and is attached at its lower end to the treadle-lever F4, so as to hold Vthe same in normal raised position.

G indicates a liquid-supply pipe, which eX- tends radially from the shouldered portion d' of the neck d of the stock D and communicates, by means of a short angularduct g, with an annular passage g', formed between the screw-threaded end-of the stock D and the shouldered portion d', while a channel or passage g2, which is formed in one side of the stock D, communicates at its upper end with the annular channel g', extends longitudinally through the stock D, and is terminated at the lower end of the stock by means of a short discharge-nozzle g3, which projects asuitable disf tancev from the lower. end of the stock in such position that the liquid discharged therefrom will shoot directly into the mouth ofthe bottle being filled. The guide-stock D is provided With a longitudinal axial bore h, which extends from one end of the stock to the other and is. arranged in alinement with a corresponding bore h', formed axially in the neck D', which bore h' is in turn in alinement with an axial 4bore h2, formed in the head or casting h3,- that is internally screw-threaded, so

-as to screw onto the screw-threaded upper end of the neck D'. The bores h h h2 form practically one bore or hole, in which is guided a reciprocating rod H, which is rectangular or irregular in cross-section, as shown in detail in Figs. 5 and 6, so that the angles or corners may ride upon the Wall of the bore and guide the rod in its up-and-down motions, while at the same time there are formed between the flat sides of the rod H and the wall of the bore minute longitudinal passages or channels h4. The upper end of the slide-rod H above its squared or irregular portion is rounded or cylindrical at h5 and is guided in a gland-nut t', which is screwed into the uppervend of the head h3 against a suitable packing i', whereby the joint is securely packed at this point. The rod H carries at its upper end a couplingpiece J, to which there is pivoted atj alever K, that is fulcru med at-k to an extension .C3 of the standard C, the other end of said lever K being pivoted at k' to a tubular longitudinally-movable rod k2, which is guided in the tubular standard C and its pedestal B and is pivoted at the opposite en d at k3 to a handlever K', fulcrumed to the table at 7a4. The lever K' is maintained in normal position by means of an actuating-spring K2. It willbe evident from the construction just described that a movement of the hand-lever K causes a corresponding movement in the rod' H, guided in the stock D.

lThe reciprocating rod H carries at its lower end a gripper or clutch L of suitable construction, but preferablypconstructed as shownthat is to say, the same consists of a split member Z, the bifurcations of which are provided 'with jaws Z' of suitable interior formation,

butpreferably formed as shown. The split member l of the gripper is pivoted at Z2 to the `lower end-of the slide-rod H, so as to form a knuckle-joint therewith, said rodH having affixed thereto a flat spring m, which hears at its free end at one side of the gripper or clutch L and straightens out the same so as to normally aline with the rod H when the parts are in position. (Shown in Fig, 2.) The lower end l.of the bore h in the stock D is enlarged somewhat, about as shown in Figs. 2 and 3, so as to permit a pivotal sidewise movement of the gripper or clutch L Within the stock, as shown 'in Fig. 3. To produce this movement of the gripper or clutch, the lower end of the stock is formed with inclines or cam-surfaces fn, which are adapted to be engagedby shoulders Z3, formed on opposite sides of the jaws of-the gripper, so that when a pull is exerted on the slide-rod H the shoulders Z3 will be forced to ride upon the camsurface n, and thereby act to swing the gripper to one side, as shown. Y

The lever K' carries a pivoted hand-lever P, which is pivotally connected, by ,means of a link p, with a rod jp', which is guided within the tubular rod 7a2, connected with the handlever K', and at its other end is pivotally connected with a bell-crank lever p2, which is pivoted at p3 to the top lever K. The actuating- IOO IIO

spring K2 for hand-lever K also influences the bell-crank lever p2 so as to maintain the leg or arm p* of said bell-crank lever in engagement with the notched or bifurcated head q on the stem q' of the relief device Q. The bell-crank lever p3 is not connected mechanically with the valve-stem q', but its leg or arm psimply rests in engagement with the notched or bifurcated portion q. The said'valve Q works against a valve-seat q2, formed in the laterally-extending branch pipe Q of the relief device or snift,which branch pipe is formed on the head h3 at the upper end of the bore 7L h h2, so that the interior of the said branch pipe will communicate with the said bore. A nipple or nozzle g3 is formed on the branch pipe q, and a spring Q4 holds the valve closed against its seat. There is nothing new in the relief device or sniff proper; but the means whereby the same may be operated'is'new.

The operation of our bottledilling machine is as follows: A bottle to be filled and which is provided with a swing-bail stopper is placed upon the rest a at the top of the table A, and the operator presses with one foot upon the treadle F4, thereby pressing the housing or casingE firmly down upon and around the upper portion of the bottle in the position shown in Fig. 1, so that no gas can pass out of or any liquid escape from the housing. Before inserting the bottle into the housing the locking-lever 7' from the stopper r and the bail r2 of the bottle-stopper are released, so as to unlock the stopper 7*'. This is done without raising the stopper from the mouth ofthe bottle, as this is left for the machine to do. The operator now presses upon'hand-lever K' and lowers the slide-rod H, so that it presses the gripper or clutch L down and causes its jaws Z to automatically engage with the stopper o", so that when the hand-lever K is raised by the spring K2 or by hand the rod H Will'also be raised, thereby drawing the Vgripper inwardly into the stock and bringing the shoulders Z3 thereof into engagement with the inclines or cam-surfaces n on the stock, the conjoint action'of said parts being to shift the gripper or clutch L to one side against the tendency of the spring m, as shown in Fig. 3. In this manner the stopper is unseated from the mouth of the bottle and is moved to one side clear out of the path of the stream of liquid, which will subsequently shoot from the discharge-nozzlegsdirectlyintothebottle. Having thus opened the stopper, the operator now opens the coclzG of the supply-pipe G and the filling liquid then passes through the channel g2 and the discharge-nozzle g3 directlyinto the bottle, no liquid entering the housing and all of the liquid being passed directly into the bottle. The inliow of the liquid is directly under the control of the operator, and no liquid need enter into the housing, as immediately the bottle is filled the supply-cock G is closed by the attendant and the only liquid which is lost will be that contained in the channel g2 and the passages between the same and the cock G'. This amounts to very little. While the liquid is being discharged into the bottle, the operator has his hand upon the lever K with his fingers lightly engaging the handle of the lever P, so that by tightening his grasp the operator actuates the lever l), thereby exerting a pull upon the rod p", causing the rocking of the bell-crank lever 192 and the opening of the valve Q thereby, so that once or twice during the filling operation the air which is displaced from the bottle may pass through the bores h h h2 and out through the nipple g3. The raising or lowering of the rod H may be performed without any action on the valve Q, inasmuch as the leg p4 of the bell-crank lever simply slides in the notched or forked end of the valve-spindle of said valve Q. When the bottle is filled, the operator depresses the hand-lever K', so as to lower the rod H, guided in the stock D, so that the gripper is released from engagement with the cam-surfaces n, and the spring m is permitted to force the gripper into alinement with the rod H, thereby swinging back the stopper and seating thesame in the mouth of the bottle which has been filled.

The operator now releases his foot from the treadle F4, so that under the actuation of the spring f2 the housing or casing E is raised and the locking-lever r rendered accessible, so

that while with one hand the lever K is held stoppered.

ICO

`stoppered bottle is now removed and another' may similarly be unstoppered, filled, and re- Ve do not limit ourselves to the exact details nor arrangement shown, as it isevident that it is within the province of skilled mechanics to change the construction, arrangement, and operation Without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

l. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, with a guide-stock suitably supported, of a cup-shaped housing guided and shiftable longitudinally on said stock, means for supplying liquid directly into thebottle, and means for removing the stopper from the bottle, substantially as set forth.

2. In a bottle-iilling machine, the combination, with a suitably-supported guide-stock, of a housing guided on said stock and being shiftable longitudinally thereon, means for supplying liquid to the bottle While housed, and means for picking the stopper up completely from the month of the bottle so that no part of the stopper projectsinto the mouth, and for shifting the same bodily to one side out of the path of the supply-stream, substantially as set forth.

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3. In a bottle-filling machine, the combinzvi tion, of a housing or casing for hermetically inclosing the neck portion of the bottle to be filled, a longitudinally-movable gripper or clutch adapted to engage the stopper, means for exerting a pull on the gripper for unseating the stopper, means for shifting the gripper with the attached stopper to one side, and means for supplying and shooting the liquid directly into the bottle, substantially as set forth.

4. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, of a housing or casing for hermetically inclosing the'neck portion of the bottle to be filled, a spring-jaw gripper, the jaws of which are suitably recessed to engage the stopper of the bottle to be lled, a slide-rod to which the gripper is pivoted, means for operating said slide-rod, means for shifting the gripper sidewise, and means for supplying liquid directly into the mouth of the bottle, substantially as set forth.

5. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination of a housing or casing for hermetically inclosing the neck portion of a bottle to be filled, means for operating said housing, and a guide stock suitably supported and on which the housing is movable, said stock being provided with a liquid-supply passage or channel, and also an independent and separate air-outlet passage or channel, both eX- tending longitudinally through the guidestock, substantially as set forth.

6. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, with a suitably-supported guide-stock provided with air and liquid passages, of a housing or casing shiftable on said guidestock and adapted to receive the neck portion of the bottle to be filled, a gripper or clutch at the outer end of the guide-stock, means for exerting a pull on the gripper, and means "for shifting the same to one side, substantially as set forth.

7. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, with a suitably-supported guide-stock provided with a liquid-supply channel, and a stationary tubular discharge-nozzle projecting from the lower end of said channel, of a housing or casing shiftable longitudinally on the guide -stock, means for operating the housing, means for unseating the stopper from the bottle and shifting the same to one side, and means for permitting the escape of the air displaced from the bottle, substantially as set forth.

8. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, with a spring-jaw gripper or clutch for engaging the bottle-stopper, of means for shifting the gripper or clutch laterally, so as to move the stopper to one side, substantially as set forth.

9. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, with a spring-actuated gripper or clutch adapted to engage the stopper of the bottle, of means for shifting the gripper or clutch to one side against the action of its spring, substantially as set forth.

10. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, with a guide-stock provided at one end with an incline or cam surface, of a housing or casing guided on'the said stock, a stopper gripper or clutch provided with a shoulder, means for exerting a pull on said gripper, whereby the shoulder is brought in contact with said incline, and means for supplying a` liquid into the bottle while housed, substantially as set forth.

ll. In a bottle-filling machine, lthe combination with a stock having a longitudinal bore, of a slide-rod, one of the same, being irregular in cross-section, so as to provide minute passages or channels between the adjacent points of contact of the slide-rod and the wall of the bore, and suitable means actuated by the slide-rod for unstoppering the bottle, substantially as set forth.

12. In a bottle-filling machine, the combination, with a suitably-supported housing or casing adapted to hermetically inclose the neck portion of the bottle to be lled, of means for automatically opening the stopper of the bottle, means for filling the bottle, a relief device or sind, a hand-lever connected with the means for opening the stopper, and a lever `suitably connected with said handlever and engaging but disconnected from the spindle of the valve of the relief device, substantially as `set forth.

13. In a bottle-filling machine, a slide-rod, having a pivoted stopper gripper or clutch thereon, provided with automatically-opening recessed grasping-jaws, substantially as set forth.

14. In a bottle-filling machine, a slide-rod, in combination with a spring-jaw gripper or clutch pivoted to the said rod, and a spring tending to aline the gripper with the rod, substantially as set forth.

In testimony that we claim vthe foregoing as our invention We have signed our names -in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

LOUIS STREBEL. CHARLES W. WILLIAMS.

Witnesses:

PAUL GOEPEL, GEO. L. WHEELOCK.

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